Wildlife Watching and Nature Trails

Opportunities abound on Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge for watching and photographing wildlife. There are approximately six miles of tour road and two accessible nature trails. With a little patience, the majority of wildlife species that inhabit the refuge can be seen and photographed from these trails!

Nature TrailsThe refuge’s two nature trails are paved for accessibility and each offers a number of vantage points over different landscapes. Both were recognized as National Recreation Trails by the United States Department of the Interior in 2011.

Horton Slough Trail: (1 mile in length)This trail was built along a wetland and overlooks Sally Jones Lake. During the winter, thousands of migrating snow geese and other waterfowl use the lake as a resting, refueling and wintering area. Here is where you might also see American bald eagles. Visitors walk through a forested area, while enjoying views of the wetland and wildlife that inhabit it. An overlook and benches provide opportunities to enjoy the scenery.

Sandtown Nature Trail: (1 mile in length)This paved trail is accessible and offers a view across the Arkansas and Canadian Rivers’ delta. It starts at the Sandtown Woods parking area where visitors can watch and track waterfowl movement over portions of the refuge. This is also a good place to see American bald eagles as they scan land and water for prey. The trail highlights the diversity of habitat as it transitions into bottomland hardwoods. This is where visitors might also catch a glimpse of the refuge’s more inconspicuous residents like bobcats and armadillos.

Auto Tour RouteVehicles make great wildlife viewing blinds and allow visitors to watch and photograph wildlife under concealment. The Sandtown Bottom Unit of the refuge boasts approximately six miles of tour road that is available for all refuge visitors to photograph and watch wildlife. Allow plenty of time for stops and to enjoy the scenic drive. Buses and recreational vehicles have easy access to the Sandtown Bottom auto route but might find Webbers Bottom challenging.

Sandtown Bottoms: (6 miles in length)Drive slowly on this graveled road for excellent chances to see wildlife, including bald eagles, waterfowl and magnificent white-tailed deer bucks during the winter. The tour road is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Webbers Bottom Auto Tour Route: (2 miles in length) You will find wildlife viewing and fishing access along the two-mile drive in this refuge unit situated west of the Arkansas River. A boat ramp provides access to Dirty Creek and the Arkansas River.

What We Do

The alligator snapping turtle is the one of the largest freshwater turtles in the world and can live up to 100 years in the wild. It uses its unique worm-like appendage to lure in prey just close enough to become a meal.